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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a refundable adoption fee for the sterilization of dogs |
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and cats; authorizing a fee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 828.002, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 828.002. REQUIREMENTS FOR ADOPTION. (a) Except as |
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provided by Section 828.013, a releasing agency may not release a |
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dog or cat for adoption unless: |
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(1) the animal has been sterilized; or |
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(2) the release is made to a new owner who signs an |
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agreement to have the animal sterilized and pays a refundable $75 |
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fee. |
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(b) The releasing agency shall: |
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(1) collect the fee required under Subsection (a)(2) |
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from each new owner who adopts a dog or cat that is not sterilized; |
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and |
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(2) refund the amount of the collected fee to an owner |
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who provides to the agency the letter required by Section 828.005 |
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confirming the adopted dog or cat has been sterilized within the |
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time required by that section. |
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(c) Each releasing agency shall remit to the comptroller all |
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fees not refunded under Subsection (b)(2) in accordance with the |
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times and methods prescribed by the comptroller. The comptroller |
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shall deposit the fees to the credit of the account created by the |
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comptroller in the manner provided by Section 504.6012(b), |
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Transportation Code. Money deposited to that account may be used |
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only by the Department of State Health Services to award grants to |
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eligible organizations for the purpose of providing sterilization |
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services in accordance with Section 828.014. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |